[ezia]

I was considering taking History as one of my AS levels in September. Yet I didn't take it for GCSE. I've been told that it's possible, but I was wondering if anyone that does A-level history could tell me how difficult it would be without a history GCSE?

Thanks.

[cpearson]

Often enough the A Level courses differ quite a bit from GCSE.
If you are good at essays and have a genuine passion for history you will be fine, GCSE is completely different to A Level anyway.

[Pollypeptide]

I don't do it personaly, however, freinds have told me that it's easy enough with the right amount of effort. But, I would advise you to make sure it's a subject which genuinly does intrest you by reading around a little.

[Gemma_08]

I took History for AS, and I loved it, don't get me wrong, but it can be a very challenging subject if you don't have prior knowledge.
If you really want to take History, I suggest it, because it is a really useful subject to have an A-Level in. You would just need to study around the subject a bit more than others who had taken it for GCSE.

[orangepossum]

I wouldn't think it would be too difficult, as long as you're good at other essay based subjects such as English, or perhaps R.E, you should be alright. It's a tough subject anyway but good to get an a-level in.

Oh and my sister is doing joint honours history and politics at uni without doing a-level history so a background in it obviously isn't that important.

And rarely would you cover the same topics in a-level as others have done at GCSE so you won't have missed out on any of the knowledge-based stuff.

[vi_26]

2 girls in my class took history at AS and now A2 when they hadn't done the GCSE and although the first couple of essays were a struggle they're now on the same level if not better than the rest of us. Like pollypeptide says if you are interested do a lil reading around the subjects you'll be covering (especially if they were covered by your class at GCSE) and you'll be fine.

[Kristenellen]

Depends what board your history is on i suppose.. I do OCR and found AS really easy at we did nazi germany (same as what we did for GCSE) but A2 i have found ridiculously difficult doing Russia and Appeasement... I'd advise if you dont enjoy it dont do it.

[Charlurr]

I loved AS level. okay, it needs a bit of effort, but as long as you've got essay plans and i bit of common sense you should be alright.

A level is a completely different ball park. Bloody hate it >_>

[Dan-IW]

I didn't do GSCE history, finished my last A2 paper today, hopefully got an A

So it's certainly doable, and I don't think it really put you at any great disadvantage to people who do GSCE.

[ezia]

Thanks for the advice. I regret not taking History for GCSE, with the strange blocking system I ended up with Business Studies as my humanites...one of my most hated subjects.

My best subject is English (Although I want to retake Lit next year if I get below an A as I don't think I'd be doing myself justice) so essays are fine.

I'll look into it a bit, maybe ask some friends who recently finished their A level history. Thanks again.

[diorbaby1687]

loads of people in my class didnt do it for GCSE and plus its usually a completely new topic to everyone
for example we study tudors and russia
and the people that did do GCSE didnt even study them
i only got c for gcse and for AS im predicted A's
its really great and it is possible its very interesting id just read odd bits of background and you can sail through